Kaolin Market Report 2026

The kaolin market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $13 billion in 2025 to $14.1 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.5%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to growth of ceramics industry, increasing fiberglass production, rising demand in paints and coatings, expansion of rubber and adhesives sector, adoption of kaolin in plastics manufacturing.

The kaolin market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $19.96 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.1%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to rising demand for surface-modified kaolin, expansion in personal care and healthcare applications, growth in agricultural uses, increasing adoption in advanced coatings, development of specialty synthetic kaolin for industrial applications. Major trends in the forecast period include rising use in ceramics and sanitaryware, increasing adoption in paints and coatings, growth in fiberglass applications, expansion in rubber and adhesives industries, development of surface-modified and specialty kaolin.

The growing demand for paper and ceramic products is expected to drive the expansion of the kaolin market. Ceramics are products made from metal or non-metal compounds that are shaped and hardened by heating to high temperatures. Paper products include items such as napkins, towels, and corrugated papers, which are made from materials like sugarcane waste, flax, bamboo, wood, linen rags, cotton, and wheat straw. Kaolin coatings improve the appearance of ceramics and paper by enhancing gloss, smoothness, brightness, opacity, and printability. For example, in September 2024, the American Forest and Paper Association, a US-based trade organization, reported that total printing and writing paper shipments rose by 4% in August 2024, while U.S. purchases increased by 11% in July 2024 compared with the same months in 2023. Additionally, in April 2023, the Observatory of Economic Complexity (OEC), a UK-based data visualization platform for international trade, noted that the United Kingdom’s ceramic product exports increased by £14.7M ($17.25M), or 10.5%, between July 2023 and July 2024, rising from £141M ($165.44M) to £156M ($183.04M). Consequently, the rising demand for paper and ceramic products is expected to fuel growth in the kaolin market.

Major companies in the Kaolin market are employing a strategic partnership approach to supply green hydrogen. Strategic partnerships involve companies leveraging each other's strengths and resources to achieve mutual benefits and success. For example, in May 2023, Carlton Power, a UK-based energy development company, formed a partnership with Imerys, a France-based kaolin manufacturer, and Sibelco, a Belgium-based kaolin manufacturing company. The collaboration aims to provide green hydrogen fuel for the clay mining operations located within a five-mile radius of Carlton's Langage Green Hydrogen project. Imerys and Sibelco have committed to reducing their greenhouse gas emissions in the coming decade, with hydrogen playing a key role in their sustainability initiatives. The green hydrogen produced at Langage will be transported through an underground pipeline to support Sibelco's Cornwood operation and Imerys' Lee Moor operation. Both facilities are involved in the production of kaolin used in the brick, ceramics, and tile industries.

In July 2024, Flacks Group, a U.S.-based investment firm, acquired Artemyn for an undisclosed amount. This acquisition is intended to broaden Flacks Group's portfolio into the mining sector, capitalizing on Artemyn's global presence and high-quality kaolin reserves to enhance operational efficiencies and promote growth. Artemyn is a Brazil-based company that specializes in offering specialty mineral-based solutions, including kaolin.

Major companies operating in the kaolin market report are Ashapura Group, Sibelco Group, Thiele Kaolin Company, Arcilla Mining & Land Company LLC, Quarzwerke Group, KaMin LLC, Burgess Pigment Company, G&W Mineral Resources, Ashok Alco-Chem Limited, Kentucky-Tennessee Clay Company (K-T Clay), Edgar Minerals Inc., Quimialmel S.A., Shree Ram Group of Industries, LB Minerals s.r.o., Keramost a.s., EPK Group, Advanced Primary Minerals Corporation Altech Chemicals Ltd., WA Kaolin Ltd., English Indian Clays Ltd., I-Minerals Inc., Sedlecký Kaolin a.s., South African Kaolin Group, Satintone Inc., UMA Group of Kaolin Companies.

Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the kaolin market in 2025. The regions covered in the kaolin market are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the kaolin market are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The kaolin market consists of sales of white kaolin, yellow kaolin, pink kaolin, and red kaolin. Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is, the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

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